Summary

Act 4

In Act 4, Scene 1, Ferdinand and Bosola discuss the Duchess and her captivity. She is bearing it gallantly. This angers Ferdinand and he plans to visit her. He will keep his vow not to see her, but he seeks to visit with her. The Duchess asks for pardon while Ferdinand asks about her “bastard” children. His words anger her and she points out that he is violating a sacrament of the church. She kisses what she thinks is his hand and he gives her back her ring. He states that she can have the hand and the ring as a love token. He will also give her the heart too. She states that his hand is very cold and asks for the light to be turned on. Ferdinand exits while she finds a dead man’s hand on the ground.

Bosola points out that...